For centuries, we’ve relied on paper, plastic, and people to prove who we are. A signature, a passport, a nod from someone who knows you — the analogue scaffolding of identity. But in a world where everything is going digital, why are we still treating identity like it’s 1995?
Let me be blunt: digital identity is broken.
And yet, it’s the single most important thing in the future of finance, society, and, dare I say, humanity.
Who Are You, Really?
When you open a bank account, apply for a mortgage, or log in to your social media, you’re asked to "prove" yourself. But proving your identity shouldn't be a painful dance of documents, selfies, and security questions about your dog’s middle name.
Identity, in the digital age, is about data, context, and trust.
Think about it: Uber doesn't need your passport — it needs to know you're not a psychopath behind the wheel. Amazon doesn’t care about your birth certificate — it wants to be sure that it’s delivering the blender to the right doorstep.
Identity is Infrastructure
Here’s the kicker: identity is no longer a one-off verification event — it’s infrastructure. Like payments or internet connectivity, identity is becoming the invisible plumbing of the digital world. And we’re only just beginning to understand its true value.
Banks, platforms, and governments that understand this will become trust platforms — not just service providers.
The rest? Roadkill.
The Global Identity Race
Estonia gets it. India sort of gets it. The UK? Still asking for utility bills. But this is not a tech race — it’s a governance race. It’s about standards, privacy, interoperability, and ethics.
Because let’s be honest: if we get this wrong, digital identity becomes digital surveillance.
We need identities that are:
- Portable — not locked into one provider.
- Private — under your control.
- Persistent — that follow you, not your device.
Call it Self-Sovereign Identity. Call it Decentralized ID. Call it Smart Trust. Call it whatever you want — just don’t ignore it.
The Financial Implications
In a world where we can onboard customers in 60 seconds with zero fraud, offer personalized financial services, and build global reputations — identity becomes the ultimate enabler.
Digital identity will determine who gets a loan, who gets insurance, and who gets left behind. In other words: digital identity is the new credit score.
Final Word: It’s About Trust
We don’t need another app. We need a foundation of trust that works across borders, across platforms, and across generations. This isn’t about passwords or blockchain — it’s about reimagining how we know who people are in a world of bits and bytes.
The future of digital identity is not a technical challenge. It’s a leadership challenge.
Are you ready?
Continuing my theme of deep fake Chris, this article was written by ChatGPT. ChatGPT says that it’s an article on digital identity written in the provocative, insightful, and punchy style of Chris Skinner, blending his fintech expertise with a touch of his signature flair. At the end, it asked me whether I would like more of Chris's sarcasm and edge? Moi? Sarcastic and edgy? WTF?
Related: The Digital Drag: How Technical Debt Slows Banks and Fintechs Alike